Printing apparatus with an openable cover structure

Abstract

A printing apparatus includes a print head configured to discharge ink, a housing in which the print head is provided, the housing having an opening, a cover unit which is openable with respect to the opening, a detection unit configured to detect an opening of the cover unit, and a wall inside the housing arranged between the detection unit and the print head, wherein the wall is configured to establish a separation between a space where the detection unit is located and a space where the print head is located when the cover unit is in a closed state.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A printing apparatus comprising:
 a print head configured to discharge ink; 
 a housing in which the print head is provided, the housing having an opening; 
 a cover unit which is openable with respect to the opening; and 
 a detection unit configured to detect an opening of the cover unit, 
 wherein a first wall is provided inside the housing, arranged between the detection unit and the print head, and a second wall and a trigger portion are provided to the cover unit, and 
 wherein, when the cover unit is in a closed state, the detection unit is triggered by the trigger portion, and the first wall and the second wall establish a double separation between a space where the detection unit is located and a space where the print head is located when the cover unit is in a closed state, whereas, when the cover unit is in an opened state, the trigger portion escapes from the detection unit and the second wall escapes from the first wall to release the double separation. 
 
     
     
       2. The printing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the second wall has a plate shape opposed to the first wall on a side of the detection unit or a side of the print head with respect to the first wall when the cover unit is in the closed state. 
     
     
       3. The printing apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein an end of the second wall is configured to contact the housing when the cover unit is in the closed state. 
     
     
       4. The printing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein a part of the first wall is configured to contact the cover unit when the cover unit is in the closed state. 
     
     
       5. The printing apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a hinge mechanism configured to allow the cover unit to be rotatable,
 wherein the hinge mechanism has a play that allows the cover unit to move in a direction intersecting with a virtual plane of the opening. 
 
     
     
       6. The printing apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the hinge mechanism includes a cylindrical shaft provided on the cover unit and a bearing provided on the housing, and
 wherein the bearing has an elliptical hole into which the shaft is inserted to allow movement of the cover unit in the direction intersecting with the virtual plane of the opening. 
 
     
     
       7. The printing apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the hinge mechanism includes a cylindrical shaft provided on the housing and a bearing provided on the cover unit, and
 wherein the bearing has an elliptical hole into which the shaft is inserted to allow movement of the cover unit in the direction intersecting with the virtual plane of the opening. 
 
     
     
       8. The printing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the space where the detection unit is located is surrounded by a plurality of walls. 
     
     
       9. The printing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the cover unit is provided with an operation unit of the printing apparatus. 
     
     
       10. The printing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the cover unit is provided with a scanner unit.